Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30 : waterproof yet luxurious camera

“A rugged all terrain compact camera in a precious compact body” here’s how Sony introduced the new Cyber-shot DSC-TX30 announced today, the new waterproof compact digital camera (10m deep). The camera is also shock resistant, can work in cold cold temperatures as is dust dust resistant. It features a CMOS sensor “Exmor R” (BSI) of 18.2 megapixels. Rare in this segment, the Sony TX30 camera is a kind of “jewel-like compact camera” alongside other competitors. The waterproof Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30 camera housing is made of metal. Design wise, it must be said, it really is unique compared to what we usually see in this segment. Very thin for a waterproof camera, it is only 15mm thick and weighs 140 grams including the battery. This is thanks to the periscopic design of the 5x zoom internal lens. The lens offers a ra,ge of 26-130mm and is stabilized by a an optical image stabilization system. Capturing the image is left in the care of a backlit CMOS sensor 18.2 megapixel exploitable from ISO 80 to ISO 3,200 and up to ISO 12,800 in multi-image mode that combines different shooting captured in burst to limit the rise of noise in the picture or get sharp handheld nightshot. In video mode, the TX30 can shoot in Full HD 1920 x 1080 /50i. It has the ability to shoot 13 megapixel resolution stills while filming in Full HD. Audio is recorded in stereo via the built-in microphone.

The 3.3″ / touchscreen of the TX30V is an OLED panel.

Waterproof to a depth of 10m, the Sony TX30 is also resistant to shock, cold and dust. This is indeed a camera for backpackers, even if it doesn’t look like it. For underwater photography, it will switch to a specific underwater photography mode which provides more accurate colors under water, often distorted by extreme color temperature.

As small as it is, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30 is still equipped with a large screen since this measure 3.3″ and is gifted with an XtraFine OLED technology panel is that will be an important asset for the pleasure of use of the camera. But this is not all, since the screen is also tactile.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30V

The battery life of the TX30 is 250 photos or 125 minutes of use. Be careful, if the camera is very thin, it is only 96.4 x 59.3 x 15.4 mm and weighs only 140 g including battery, you will have to be buying a new set of micro SD memory cards. Connectivity wise, the TX30 has a micro USB port and a micro HDMI plug as well.

Positioned on the high-end segment of waterproof cameras market, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30 is priced at €350. Surrounded by tough looking rugged cameras (Pentax WG-3 GPS, Olympus TG-2 iHS…), the luxury body and compact form facture of the TX30 has certainly no real competitor, till now.